The University of Antwerp is characterised by its high standards in education, internationally competitive research and entrepreneurial approach.

The university's roots go back to Sint-Ignatius Handelshogeschool (Saint-Ignatius School for Higher Education in Commerce) founded by the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in Antwerp in 1852.

It was renamed Universitaire Faculteiten Sint-Ignatius Antwerpen (UFSIA) in the 1960s when the Belgian government granted it university status.

The Catholic influence that the Jesuits had at UFSIA continues through the Saint Ignatius University Centre (UCSIA), Antwerp, founded in 2003.

In September 2020, the University of Antwerp chose to start the new academic year with stricter coronavirus measures than those recommended by the government.